[PA-NJ Glassblowers] Second Lady Karen Pence attends glassblowing class for Art of Valor for Military patients and veterans

[Tony Patti]

https://www.fox13news.com/video/645200

 

 <https://www.fox13news.com/video/645200> 

 


Karen Pence attends glassblowing class in St. Pete


The second lady attended a glassblowing class with the art of valor program
at the Morean Arts Center. 

The classes are part of a therapy program for dealing with post-traumatic
stress disorder.

 

 

https://www.moreanartscenter.org/operation-art-of-valor/

 



The Morean Arts Center Partners with James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital to
Offer Glassblowing to Military Patients and Veterans


 

The Morean Arts Center (MAC) has partnered with James A. Haley Veterans'
Hospital (JAHVH) to offer glassblowing to military patients and veterans as
part of a community-based arts program. The inception of Operation: Art of
Valor (AoV) began at the  <https://www.moreanartscenter.org/hot-shop/>
Morean Glass Studio & Hot Shop March 18, 2018, with a mission to serve the
military and veteran population through structured, hands-on learning that
focuses on improving cognition, social interaction, physical dexterity,
teamwork and confidence.

JAHVH is one of several clinical sites for Creative Forces: NEA Military
Healing Arts Network, which is a partnership among the National Endowment of
the Arts (NEA), Department of Defense, Department of Veteran Affairs and
state agencies that serve the special needs of military patients and
veterans who've been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and psychological
health conditions. The network consists of doctors, creative arts
therapists, artists, arts organization staff and community members who
believe in the transformative and restorative powers of the arts.

AoV was initially brought to the MAC by co-founder and veteran, Chris Stowe,
who saw the potential benefits of bringing the art of glassblowing to
veterans. Chris was always fascinated with glassblowing and completed a
13-week intensive glassblowing course that was made possible through an art
therapy grant from a military Wounded Warrior non-profit. From that moment,
Chris knew he wanted to help other veterans benefit from the experience of
glassblowing.

While attending the 2017 Florida State Department of Cultural Affairs
Creative Forces Summit at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Chris
Stowe reconnected with Michael Killoren, former CEO of the MAC, about the
opportunity to create a partnership. Shortly thereafter, the MAC decided to
move forward with co-founding Operation: Art of Valor.

With the support and partnership of the JAHVH in Tampa, AoV has quickly
developed into a structured course with a curriculum consisting of six
levels of instruction. While it's therapeutic for veterans to participate in
community-based arts programs, it's important to note that these programs
are not considered therapy, but serve as an opportunity for continued
self-expression through the arts outside of clinical care.

Having a place where veterans can connect through experience and collaborate
artistically has proven to be beneficial to program participants, and the
MAC is proud to be a part of an initiative that serves military patients,
veterans and the community.

 



 

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